Life of Riley: Bioencephalopathy: A manual for sufferers

March 5, 1997
Issue 

Life of Riley

Bioencephalopathy: A manual for sufferers

Bioencephalopathy: A manual for sufferers

Behind the front part of my head lives something of which I am truly proud — my consciousness.

Despite my penchant for eccentricity and the occasional burst of tomfoolery, it is my considered opinion — supported by others whose views I have had no reason to doubt (mum, uncle Adam, Veronica and cousin Jean) — that I am all there. To put it simply: I know what I know.

And I know that I have good reason to be suspicious. I think my brain is being got at.

This is not a delusion. I am not being paranoid. During my waking hours agents unknown are encroaching on my percipience.

They are rearranging my dearest notions without my sanction. Ideas that I once thought were mine to enjoy, to which I had pledged my allegiance, are being tinkered with. I am being reconstructed from the inside.

Change, as they say, comes from within. But I'm not the one who is doing this. All my precious ideals and the lucidity with which I generated them, are under attack from without.

I am surrounded by blathering chatterboxes and I cannot get out of ear shot. I am told to believe only in myself, that this is as good as it gets, that this is the best of all possible worlds. If I object to some of the measures taken I am reminded that it is all for the best. (Excuse me for living!)

It sounds like a chorus on a broken record: all is for the best [click], all is for the best [click], all is for the best ...

MEDICAL COMMENTARY AND ABSTRACT: You describe a very common disorder. This last feature is symptomatic of bioencephalopathy: a brain disease whose etiology we are just beginning to understand.

The chief cause of acute or chronic bioencephalopathy seems to be cross infection, usually as a result of an epidemic of mass sociopathy. The disease is endemic to all capitalist societies and can effect all age groups regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic background.

Nonetheless, bioencephalopathy does not have an organic cause. While the pathological changes inherent in the disease process inhibit brain function — specifically grey matter's ability to sustain its free radicals — it's root dynamic is specifically bio rather than biological in origin.

The source of infection is overwhelmingly ideological — thus the name: bourgeois ideological offensive ("bio"); diseasing the brain ("encephalopathy").

Bioencephalopathy is spread by multifarious media outfalls — common vectors such as newspapers, television, and the like — supported by a disease pool of unwitting carriers such as your friends, workmates and acquaintances who may be bio-positive but don't realise it.

Treatment is largely symptomatic. In order to avoid complications, greater insight into the disease process should be encouraged. No prophylactic agent is presently available, but the patient can be desensitised somewhat by maintaining an activist lifestyle despite the many constraints imposed by the disease itself.

@column auth = By Dave Riley

E-mail: dhell@ozemail.com.au.

You need Green Left, and we need you!

Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.